Ball cleaner attachment for golf cart



Nov. 10, 1964 E. c. WESTHOFF 3,155,000

BALL CLEANER ATTACHMENT FOR cow cARi' Filed Oct. 29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheetl INVENTOR. WEST/10F;

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MW @MZ/ A7 TOR/YE Y5 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. C. WESTHOFF BALL CLEANERATTACHMENT FOR GOLF CART I L J MV////// L v .3 A rv v J W P O 40 9 m h mw 3 z 5 7 H64 4 Nov. 10, 1964 Fild Oct. 29, 1962 uu mummy I unmnu unmunUnited States Patent Ofiice 3,1563% Patented Nov. 10, 1964 3,156,000BALL CLEANER ATTACHMENT FUR GQLF CART Earl C. Westhoif, 532 N. ScottAve, Box 365, Belton, Mo. Filed Oct. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 233,673 4Claims. (Cl. 15-513) This invention relates generally to golf ballcleaning devices, and more particularly to devices of this character forattaching to a sloping golf cart handle.

Golf ball cleaning devices are commonly placed in strategic locations ongolf courses, however, during winter months or with muddy fairways suchdevices are often inadequate in number and location or not properlyserviced so as to be available or function when needed. Also, suchdevices usually cannot selectively clean a spot on a golf ball but tendto abrade the ball even where clean, dulling the finish.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a golfball cleaning device whichis constantly available to the golfer; toprovide such a device for attaching to the handle of a golf cart whichis adapted to efficiently clean golf balls and selectively clean spotsthereon if desired; to provide such apparatus which includes a lid; toprovide such a device having a molded integral body for ease ofproduction while imparting high strength and light weight thereto; toprovide such a device having semi-cylindrical chambers lined with a deeppile of water-retentive material for receiving golf balls therein forcelaning, drying or storing; to provide such an apparatus which whensecured to a normally sloping golf cart handle presents ball cleaningchambers and a lid in a horizontal position for convenience, however,will not spill liquid from the cleaning chambers if tilted; and toprovide such a device which is simple in construction and well suitedfor its intended purpose.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodirnents of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf ball cleaning device shownassembled with a portion of a sloping golf cart handle.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device with the lid raised and shownpartially in section.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the device taken on the line3-3, FIG. 5, particularly showing the golf cart handle clamps dependingfrom an intermediate bottom wall.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional View through the device taken on the line4-4, FIG. 5, particularly showing a ball cleaning chamber with a deeppile water-retentive material therein.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the device taken on the line55, FIG. 3, particularly showing the semi-cylindrical form of the ballcleaning chambers.

Referring to the drawings in more detail:

The reference numeral 1 generally indicates an integral rigid bodymolded of a suitable lightweight rugged material such as die-castaluminum or a plastic resin and having a forward portion 2 and a rearportion 3. The body 1 includes a pair of curved walls 4 and 5 forming apair of laterally spaced parallel horizontally extending elongatedupwardly open substantially cylindrical chambers 6 and 7 respectively.Lower depending bulging portions 8 and 9 respectively extendlongitudinally of the chambers 6 and 7 and form reservoirs 10 and 11respectively opening upwardly into the chambers 6 and 7.

Spaced chamber front end walls 12 and 13 and spaced chamber rear endwalls 14 and 15 extend across the respective chambers 6 and 7 formingenclosures therefor. The chamber rear end walls 14 and 15 depend belowthe chambers 6 and 7 as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Spacedparallel inner side walls 16 and 17 depend respectively from and betweenthe curved walls 4 and 5 and extend longitudinally of and rearwardlypast the chambers 6 and 7 at 18 and 19. A downwardly and rearwardlysloping central bottom wall 20 extends between said inner side walls 16and 17 forming therewith an increasing depth upwardly open channel 21bers 6 and 7. The channel 21 has a forward end 22 extending both betweenand rearwardly of the chambers 6 and 7. The channel 21 has a forward end22 located rearwardly of the chamber front end walls 12 and 13 and arear end 23 located rearwardly of the chamber rear end walls 14 and 15.

The inner side wall 16 has a jog at 24 toward the inner side wall 18adjacent the chamber rear end wall 14 for a purpose later described. Achannel forward end wall 25 extends across the channel 21 and closes thechannel forward end 22. A body rear end wall 26 has an upper edgeportion 27 and is spaced rearwardly of the chamber rear end walls 14 and15 and extends across and closes the channel rear end 23. A horizontalwall 28 extends between the chambers 6 and 7 adjacent the chamber frontend walls 12 and 13.

A pair of outer parallel depending side walls 29 and 29' join and extendrearwardly of the chamber rear end walls 14 and 15 and join the bodyrear end wall 26 at 1 positions 30 and 31 spaced laterally outwardly ofthe channel rear end 23. A pair of outer bottom walls 32 and 33 ofdifferent elevation join the outer side walls 29 and 29 and chamber rearend walls 14 and 15 and the body rear end wall 26 forming therewith apair of upwardly open receptacles designated 34 and 35 of differentdepth respectively located directly rearwardly of the chambers 6 and 7,the chamber 34 being of greater depth for reasons discussed hereinafter.

A pair of clamping members 36 and 37 have downwardly open notches 38 and39 respectively for receiving a golf cart handle 40 thereinto. 36 and 37are. spaced longitudinally of the channel 21 and depend substantiallyequal lengths from the central bottom wall 26. The clamping members 36and 37 have clamping bars 41 and 42 respectively associated there withand removably secured thereto with suitable screws 43 threadedly engagedin the members 36 and 37 for covering the respective notches 38 and 39to easily and quickly clamp the body 1 on the golf cart handle 40.- Itis noted that the golf cart handle 40 slopes diagonally upwardly as bestshown in FIG. 3 when the golf cart (not shown) is placed in an uprightposition to present golf clubs (not shown) for selection. "Due to-thedif-z ference in elevation of the clamping members 36 and 37, however,when the golf cart'handle 40 is in this sloping position the chambers 6and 7 are maintained sub- T he clamping members Ct stantially horizontalor level for ease in cleaning golf balls as described more fullyhereinafter.

A normally horizontally extending planar rigid lid 44, which may be ofthe same or other suitable material as the body 1, has a front edge 45and a rear edge 46. The lid 44 is hingedly secured by suitable hinges 47adjacent the rear edge 46 to the body rear end wall 26 at the upper edgeportion 27 thereof. The lid 44 is adapted to selectively cover and hingeupwardly to provide access to the chambers 6 and 7, the receptacles 34and 35 and the channel 21. The lid 44 has a forwardly extending fingergrasping portion 43 for ease in hinging same upwardly with respect tothe body 1 and a suitable latch 49 is secured adjacent the graspingportion 48 and adapted to engage into an opening 50 extending throughthe hori zontal wall 28 for selectively latching the lid 44 closed whendesired.

The lid 44 has a clip 51 pivotally secured thereto at 52 and urged bysprings 53 into a resilient closure against the lid 44 at 54. The clip51 extends laterally of the lid 44 near the lid rear edge 46 andresiliently clamps the upper edge of a golf score card 55 for retainingthe golf card in writing position on the lid 44. It is to be understoodthat the clip 51 will release the score card 55 by pressing downwardlyadjacent the rear edge thereof causing an opening between the clip andlid at 54.

The clip 51 has a groove 56 extending therealong transversely of the lid44 which is adapted to receive a short pencil 57 thereinto formaintaining same in a convenient position for grasping and marking thescore card 55. A retaining member 58 is secured to the clip 51 andextends over the groove 56 for resiliently retaining the pencil 57 inthe groove and prevent accidental loss during normal movement of thegolf cart (not shown). The clip 51 has suitable upwardly extendingY-shaped members 59 and 60 thereon for temporarily retaining a burningcigarette 61 or cigar 62 during a golf shot. It is noted that the member60 is larger than the member 59 for extra convenience in holding thegreater diameter cigar.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, an interior lining 63 ofdeep pile capillary wicking water-retentive material such as afleece-like synthetic shearling such as sold under the trademark Dynelis suitably secured to the curved walls 4 and and chamber end walls 12,13, 14 and for covering the interior of the chambers 6 and 7. Theexposed surface 64 of the water-retentive lining 63 presents an internaldiametrical dimension within the chambers 6 and 7 which is substantiallysmaller than the outside diameter of golf balls 65 which may be insertedinto the respective chambers. The retentive lining 63 is resilientlydeformed by golf balls 65 and thus rubs on the surface thereof when theball is longitudinally reciprocated in the respective chambers.

In use, water and detergent or other suitable liquid cleaner 66 may beintroduced into at least one of the chambers, in the illustratedexample, chamber 7, which liquid cleaner settles through the retentivelining 63 and is at least partially stored within the reservoir 11. Themotion of the body 1 during movement with the golf cart between golfshots agitates the liquid cleaner 66 so that it is constantly moved intocontact with the under surface of the lining 63 from which it is wickedup from the reservoir into the retentive lining, presenting a brush orsponge-like cleaning surface which is wetted for efiicient cleaning. Theretentive lining prevents the liquid from running or splashing out ofthe chambers unless a liquid quantity greatly in excess of that requiredfor efficient cleaning is introduced thereinto. A golf ball 65 may thenbe rotated and reciprocated longitudinally within the chamber 7 and therubbing or friction of the lining 63 will cause the surface of the golfball to be cleaned. If only spot cleaning is desired, the ball need notbe rotated but only reciprocated with the spot exposed to the lining. Inthe preferred use of the device, the golf ball is then transferred tothe other chamber 6 which is dry in that it does not have liquid cleanertherein and the ball is similarly reciprocated and rotated which willcause the surface of the ball to be dried for proper golf use. It isfurther noted that if desired one or more golf balls may be storedwithin the dry chamber for use during the game, for example, when anextra fine ball is needed for putting. It is to be understood that bothchambers may be loaded with liquid cleaner if desired and the ball thendried on a towel or the like. Thus, a convenient golf ball cleaner isprovided which eliminates dependence on stationary golf ball washerswhich may be inoperative or not properly located for use when needed.

The receptacle 34, due to the jog 24, is larger in width and as notedabove greater in depth than the receptacle 35 to permit the insertionthereinto of a standard or king sized pack of cigarettes (not shown) forretention in a convenient place during the golf game. If desired, tees(not shown) may be retained inthe receptacle 35 which is relativelyshallow to aid in grasping those on the bottom. It is noted thatsuitable openings 67 extend through the bottom walls 32 and 33 of thereceptacles 34 and 35 for draining liquids therefrom which mayaccidentally be dropped therein. Additional convenient storage space isprovided by the channel 21 for such personal items as change, car keys,wrist watches, cigarette lighters and other items (not shown) which theaverage golfer does not want to carry on his person during a golf match.The score card 55 may be stored beneath the closed lid 44 in case ofinclement weather.

It is to be understood that while one form of this invention has beenillustrated and described, it is not to be limited to the specific formor arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar assuch limitations are included in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A golf ball cleaning device for attaching to a golf cart handlecomprising:

(a) a body having an elongated rigid wall substantially semi-cylindricalin shape, the ends of which are closed to form a chamber,

(b) a clamping member with a golf cart handle receiving portion therein,said clamping member being fixed with respect to said body and havingmeans associated therewith for clamping said body on the golf carthandle, means forming a reservoir opening into said chamber, and

(c) an interior lining of capillary deep pile liquid cleaner-retentivematerial on said wall in said chamher and dividing said chamber fromsaid reservoir, said pile presenting an interior surface with adiametrical dimension smaller than the outside diameter of a golf ball,

(d) whereby a liquid cleaner may be introduced into said reservoir andwicked up in said absorbent material and a golf ball may be rotated andreciprocated longitudinally within said chamber for cleaning same.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 including:

(a) a planar rigid lid having a front edge and a rear edge, said lidbeing hingedly secured adjacent said lid rear edge to said body andadapted to selectively cover and provide access to said chamber.

3. The device of claim 1 including:

(a) a planar rigid lid hingedly secured to said body and adapted toselectively cover and provide access to said chamber, and

(b) latch means on said lid and adapted to engage said body forselectively maintaining said lid in closed position.

4. A golf ball cleaning device for attaching to a golf cart handlecomprising:

(a) a body having an elongated rigid wall substantially semi-cylindricalin shape, the ends of which are closed to form a chamber,

(b) a clamping member with a golf cart handle receiving portion therein,said clamping member being fixed With respect to said body and havingmeans associated therewith for clamping said body on the golf carthandle,

(c) an interior lining of deep pile liquid cleanerretentive material onsaid Wall in said chamber, said pile presenting an interior surface witha diametrical dimension smaller than the outside diameter of a golfball, and

(d) a lower depending bulging portion on said Wall and extendinglongitudinally of said chamber, said bulging portion forming a reservoiropening upwardly into said chamber for receiving a liquid cleaner.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Lawler.

Evans.

Sample.

Duff.

Hershey 224-292 Alcamo 15-21 Lord.

Kimes et a1.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

1. A GOLF BALL CLEANING DEVICE FOR ATTACHING TO GOLF CART HANDLECOMPRISING: (A) A BODY HAVING AN ELONGATED RIGID WALL SUBSTANTIALLYSEMI-CYLINDRICAL IN SHAPE, THE ENDS OF WHICH ARE CLOSED TO FORM ACHAMBER, (B) A CLAMPING MEMBER WITH A GOLF CART HANDLE RECEIVING PORTIONTHEREIN, SAID CLAMPING MEMBER BEING FIXED WITH RESPECT TO SAID BODY ANDHAVING MEANS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH FOR CLAMPING SAID BODY ON THE GOLFCART HANDLE, MEANS FORMING A RESERVOIR OPENING INTO SAID CHAMBER, AND(C) AN INTERIOR LINING OF CAPILLARY DEEP PILE LIQUID CLEANER-RETENTIVEMATERIAL ON SAID WALL IN SAID CHAMBER AND DIVIDING SAID CHAMBER FROMSAID RESERVIOR, SAID PILE PRESENTING AN INTERIOR SURFACE WITH ADIAMETRICAL DIMENSION SMALLER THAN THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER OF A GOLF BALL,(D) WHEREBY A LIQUID CLEANER MAY BE INTRODUCED INTO SAID RESERVOIR ANDWICKED UP IN SAID ABSORBENT MATERIAL AND A GOLF BALL MAY BE ROTATED ANDRECIPROCATED LONGITUDINALLY WITHIN SAID CHAMBER FOR CLEANING SAME.